اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ سَمْعِي، وَمِنْ شَرِّ بَصَرِي، وَمِنْ شَرِّ لِسَانِي، وَمِنْ شَرِّ قَلْبِي، وَمِنْ شَرِّ مَنِيِّي
O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the evil of my hearing, and from the evil of my sight, and from the evil of my tongue, and from the evil of my heart, and from the evil of my semen.
Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min sharri sam'i, wa min sharri basari, wa min sharri lisani, wa min sharri qalbi, wa min sharri maniyyi.
When to Read
This dua is excellent to recite daily, especially in the morning after Fajr prayer, as it encompasses seeking protection from the harms that can arise from our senses and inner being throughout the day. It's particularly relevant when you anticipate encountering situations where backbiting, gossip, or harsh words might be prevalent, or when you feel a personal struggle with controlling your speech.
How to Read
Recite this supplication with sincerity and a clear intention to safeguard yourself from harmful speech. Focus on each part of the dua, understanding that 'the evil of my tongue' refers to speaking falsehoods, backbiting, slander, abusive language, or any other destructive form of communication. It's best recited after completing your obligatory prayers, seeking Allah's protection before the day's activities begin.
Virtues & Benefits
This comprehensive dua seeks refuge from the 'evil' that can originate from our faculties and intentions. By specifically asking protection from the 'evil of my tongue,' we acknowledge the immense power of speech and its potential for destruction, both to oneself and others. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us this powerful supplication, highlighting the importance of guarding our tongues, which are often the cause of immense regret and punishment in this life and the next. It helps cultivate mindfulness about our speech and encourages us to use our tongues for good, such as remembrance of Allah (dhikr) and speaking beneficial words.
Source & Authentication
It was narrated that Al-Hasan bin Ali said: I learned some words from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ that I say in Witr. He said: 'O Allah, guide me among those whom You have guided, and You guide me with those whom You have guided, and You make me prosperous with those whom You have made prosperous, and You make me their guardian, and evil is what You decree. Verily, You decree and none can decree against You, and verily, whoever is taken as a client by You will not be humiliated. Blessed are You, O our Lord, and Exalted.' He said: 'And I seek refuge in Your Might, there is no god but You, that You cause me to stray. Verily, You are Ever-Living, and die not, while men and jinn die.' He said: 'And I seek refuge in Your forgiveness from evil, and I seek refuge in Your mercy from evil, and I seek refuge in Your mercy from evil. O Allah, grant me well-being in my body, grant me well-being in my hearing, grant me well-being in my sight, there is no god but You. I seek refuge in Allah from the evil of what I know and from the evil of what I do not know.' He said: 'Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min sharri sam'i, wa min sharri basari, wa min sharri lisani, wa min sharri qalbi, wa min sharri maniyyi.' (Sunan Abi Dawud 1554, Sahih Al-Albani)